Large Stone Structure and Stepped Stone Structure
Context
Eilat Mazar was an Israeli archaeologist who specialized in Jerusalem and Phoenician archaeology. She led excavations in the City of David, where she discovered the Large Stone Structure and dated it to the 10th century BCE. She was a senior fellow at the Shalem Center and worked on various sites including the Temple Mount.
What Was Found
The Large Stone Structure is a monumental Iron Age building discovered at the City of David site in Jerusalem. It was announced by archaeologist Eilat Mazar, who led excavations sponsored by the Shalem Center. The structure dates to the 10th century BCE and includes artifacts such as pottery and bullae, and it is associated with ancient fortifications in the area. The Stepped Stone Structure is a massive stone retaining wall directly below and supporting the Large Stone Structure. First excavated by R.A.S. Macalister and J.G. Duncan in 1923-1925 and later by Yigal Shiloh in 1978-1985, the Stepped Stone Structure rises approximately 17 meters (56 feet) and is the largest Iron Age structure found in Israel. Eilat Mazar argued the two structures form a single architectural complex that she identified as King David's palace, though this identification remains debated among archaeologists.
Why This Matters
It provides evidence of Iron Age structures and fortifications in Jerusalem.
Acceptance Assessment
Debated Among Scholars
Scholars debate whether it dates to the time of David or later periods.
What Scholars Debate
It is debated whether the structure dates to the 10th century BCE or later periods.